The late New York podiatrist’s daughters have come forward claiming that their father assisted Donald Trump in avoiding the Vietnam War draft by diagnosing him with bone spurs. Dr. Larry Braunstein, who practiced in Queens until his passing in 2007, allegedly made the medical diagnosis as a favor to Trump’s father, Fred Trump. Dr. Braunstein’s daughters, Dr. Elysa Braunstein and Sharon Kessel, disclosed to the New York Times that their father often recounted the story within their family and social circle.
Although no documents supporting the family’s allegations were found, records show that Dr. Braunstein rented his Jamaica, Queens office from Fred Trump in the 1960s. The daughters mentioned that their father issued the bone spurs diagnosis as a gesture of goodwill towards Fred Trump, granting him access to the Trump patriarch.
Elysa Braunstein stated that her father suggested that President Trump did not actually have a foot condition, despite receiving a bone spurs diagnosis in 1968. Prior to this medical exemption, Trump had avoided the draft multiple times while pursuing his education. Trump mentioned in a 2016 interview that he received a strong letter from a doctor regarding his heel spurs, which he submitted to draft authorities, although he couldn’t recall the doctor’s identity when questioned.
Heel spurs are bony growths caused by calcium deposits on the heel bone, with treatment options including stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or surgery. President Trump claimed he never underwent surgery for the issue. Concerns about Trump’s health have surfaced since his second term began, with his medical team revealing a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency this summer. This condition affects the veins in the arms or legs, potentially resulting in swelling, throbbing sensations, and discomfort.
